Morris tribune., 1887-12-21

wool growing and he dcpendeett on foreign
countric., for the blanket under which we
sleep and the coat that covers our backs 10
not wise policy for the national govern
ment to enforce Fr - s .;
! sDo you think il the presidents recommen-
dation We're adopted it would increase our
export trader -
s..Possibly in some few articles Of peculiar
construction it might, but it would increase
our import trade ten fold as much in the
great staple fabrics, in wooden and cotton
goods, In iron, in steel, in all the thousand
and ono shapes i'm which they are wruukhts
How are we to export staple fabrics TO the
markets Of Europe pnleSsFve make them
cheaper thssn they do in Esrope. and how are
we to manufacture them cheaper than they
do in Europe unless we get cheaper labor
than they have in Europe!n i a.
THE LABOR QUEsTIoN-Irs VITAL rMPoR-
as 2kas TANcT. 81 E94+t<E ISL
4 Then yon think that the question Of labor
underlies the whole subiectw "Of course 1t
does" replied Mr.. Blains. lit is, in fact,
the entire question. Whenever we can force
carpenters masons, ironworkers and mcchan-
les in every department to work as cheaply
and live as poorly in the United States,
rs similar worknen in Europe, we
can. of course, manufacture just as cheaply
as they do in England and France. But
am totally opposed to policy that would en-
tail such results. To attempt it is sequiya-
lent to social and financial revelation,
one that would bring untold Distress. y
u "Yes,N but might not the great farming
class be benefited by importing articles from
Europe instead of buying them at higher
prices at homer .
~ The moment, answered Mr.. Blaine, ''you
begin to import freely from Europe you
drive our own workmen from mechanical
and manufacturing pursuits In the same
proportion they become tillers of tho soil, in
creasing steadily the agricultural product
and decreasing steadily the large home de-
mand which is constantly charging as home
manufacturers enlarge. That, of course,
works great injury to the farmer, quitting
the market with his products and tending
constantly to lower prices
WHAT WOULD BECOME OF THE FARMERs2
''Yes, but the foreign demand for farm
products would be increased in like ratio,
would it not!'
''Even suppose it were," said Mr. Blaine,
show do you know the source from which it
will be supphed! The tendency in Russia
today, and in the Asiatic possessions of Eng
land is toward large increase of the grain
supply, the grain being raised by the cheap
est possible labor. Manufacturing coun-
tries will buy their breadstuffs where they
can get them cheapest, and the enlarg-
ing of the home market for the American
farmer being checked he would search
in vain for one Of the same value.
His foreign sales are already checked by the
great composition abroad. There never was
time when the increase of large home
market was so valuable to him. The best
proof is that the farmers are prosperous in
proportion to the nearness OF manufacturing
centers, and a protective tariff tends to
spread manufactures. In Ohio and Indiana,
for example, though not classed as Elanufac-
turing states, the annual value of fabrics is
larger than the annual value of agricultural
products"
THE TARIFF OF 1916 AND ITS RESULTS.
'sBut those holding the presidents views
remarked the reporter, 'sare always quoting
the great prosperity Of the country under the
tariff of 1867 #A
"That tariff did not involve the one de-
structive point recommended by the presi-
dent, namely, the retaining Of direct internal
taxes in order to abolish indirect taxes levied
on foreign fabrics. But the country had
peculiar advantages under it by the Crimean
war involving England, France and Russia
and largely impairing their trade. All these
incidents, or accidents, if you choose, were
immensely stimulating to tradein the United
States, regardless of the nature of our tariff.
But mark the end of this European expert
encs with the tariff of 1916, which for a time
gave an inusory and deceptive show OF pros
perity. Its enactment was Immediately fol-
lowed by tho Mexican war; then in 1s4S by
the great convulsions OF EufopeS then in 1910
and succeeding years by the eaormeus gold
yield in California. The powers made peace
In 1856, and at the same time the outpVS-ef
gold IN CALIFORNIA; fell of. Immediately
the financial panic Of 1857 came upon
the country with disastrous force. Though
we;had in these years mined . vast amount
! Of gold in California every bank in New
York was compelled 70 suspend specie pay
nlesat Four hundred IaillioRs in gold had
been carried out of the country in eight years
to pay for foreign goods that should have
been manufactured at home, and we had
years of depression and distress as an atone
ment for our folly.
HISTORY ENTHUSIASTICALLY,
SIT is remarkable that President Polk re-
commended thetarif of 1916 On precisely the
same ground that President Cleveland re-
commends similar enactment now, namely,
the surplus in the treasury was alenacing The
prosperity of the country sHistoryis repeat
ing itself By the wal, y Mr.. Blaine. added,
after a moments reflection, ssit Is worth
notice that Mr.. Polk insisted ON empty
ing the treasury by free trade tariff,
then Immediately rushed the country
into debt by borrowing $50, 0O0, 000
for the Mexican war. I trust moth
ing may occur to repeat so disastrous a
sequel to the policy recommended by Presi-
dent Cleveland But theuniform fate has
been for fifty years past that the Democratic
party when it goes out Of power always
leaves an empty treasury, and when it re-
turns to power always finds q fun treasury"
HOW MR.. BLAINE WOULD REDUCE TIE
REVENUE.
ssThen do you mean to imply that there
should be no reduction of, the national reve-
nue?' ii H e.
"No, what j have said implies the reverse.
would reduce it by q prompt repeal Of the
tobacco tax and would make here and there
some changes in the tariff, not to reduce pro-
lection, but wisely tester it," @
ssWould you explain your meaning more
fullyg'
ST mean, said Mr.. Blaine, ssthat no great
system of revenue like our tariff cam operate
with efficiency, and equity .unlessthe changes
of trade be closely watched and the law
promptly adapted to- those changes But
would make no change that should impair
the protective character of the whole body
of the tariff laws Four years ago, in the
act of 1883, we made changes of the eharac-
ter have tried to indicate II such changes
were made, and the terrifying of our sea-
coast thus undertaken at q verymoderate
annual outlay, no surplus would be found
after that already accumulated had been dis
posed of. The. outlay OF money ON fortffical
tions, while doing great service 20 the coun-
try, would give good work o1nany men"
e"But what about theexisting sufplusF
'sThe abstract of the message have seem
replied Mr.. Blaine, contains no refersnce TO
that point, i therefore make no comment
further than. to indorse Mr.. Fred kGrantis
remark that surplus is always easier to
handle than deficit
POSSIBLE EFFEcT OF THE PRKsIDENT'S
------s--.-.- POLICY.